Shallow Puddles

Gazing out the window

At the snow, spread on the ground

She could scarcely remember

Vaguely recalling back the sounds

*

Of silly giggles and footsteps

Tiny toes traipsing in the halls

Christmas tree scents and secrets

Excited hopes of Santa Clause

**

Sleepy bedtime kisses

Eyelashes flutter on her cheeks

The anticipation and sweet wishes

The magic building up for weeks

***

Her attention returns to the window

A blurred image appears, peering back

A confusing, incomplete picture

Now covered with soft wrinkles and cracks

****

Enjoying the fires glow

With loved ones gathered around

Hypnotically, watching the new snow

Pirouette, softly, to the ground

*****

Glowing lights in shallow puddles

Send her cascading through her dreams

The deep emotions are subtle

As she envisions every scene

******

But all she finds are remnants

Of a life that she once knew

Faded photos and old ornaments

In the sad shades and hues of blue

*******

She feels a warmth sweep through her body

Her fingertips gently caressed

It’s a Christmas holiday party

And she’s the honored guest

********

The lifetime she remembered

She finds, she’s living still

When she climbs out from inside her

You wouldn’t know that she was ill

*********

They’ll celebrate while she’s with them

Making old memories, new

Until the prison returns again

And she gets stuck in that room

**********

Alive, but not living

In a crowd, still, all alone

With the image in the window

The one that she rarely even knows